<

Bush: U.S. Will Stand By Friends, Allies
Thursday, February 21, 2002
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service

President George W. Bush speaks to American forces and their families during his visit to Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, on Feb. 21.
(click here for a high-resolution image)
(additional photos).
Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Johnny Saldivar, USAF.

"We won't stop until the threat of global terrorism has been destroyed."

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
The United States will stand by its friends and allies against global terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, President George W. Bush said today to U.S. troops in the Republic of Korea.

Stability on the Korean Peninsula, he pointed out, depends upon the military might of the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance.

"History has led us here. Ties of commerce and friendship keep us here," the president said in Seoul. "When America says we're your friend, we mean it."

U.S. officials hope to see the day that stability is based on the peaceful reconciliation of North and South Korea, he said In the meantime, however, Bush vowed that the United States would maintain its presence on the peninsula.

"In our dealings with North Korea, we've laid down a clear marker," the president said. "We will stand by the people of South Korea."

Bush repeated the pledge he made during his State of the Union address. "We will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten us or our friends or our allies with weapons of mass destruction," he said.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

Dan